Ominous EPL threat to Celtic’s loan deal

Newcastle United appear to be showing serious interest in Cameron Carter-Vickers. 

The defender has been a key figure in Celtic’s surge towards the SPFL title but after Saturday’s match against Motherwell his future will be the subject of speculation. 

American reporter Larry Henry Jr has been able to track the progress of Carter-Vickers very accurately and is reporting on revived interest from Newcastle. 

Last summer under Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley there was no rush of players prepared to move to St James Park but under new ownership and Eddie Howe Newcastle are a very different proposition. 

Writing in SBI Henry Jr reports: 

Cameron Carter-Vickers is wrapping up a breakout season on loan with Scottish giants Celtic, and while Celtic has the option to purchase Carter-Vickers’ contract from Tottenham, there is a growing list of teams ready to pounce if Celtic does not complete a transfer for the American defender. 

Newcastle United has joined the list of teams interested in acquiring Carter-Vickers this summer, a source close to the player confirmed to SBI. The Magpies were previously interested in the Tottenham defender last summer, but were unable to strike a deal with Spurs before Carter-Vickers eventually moved to Celtic on loan. 

Celtic holds a purchase option for Carter-Vickers as part of the loan agreement with Tottenham, an option that sources tell SBI would cost Celtic an initial $7.4 million, with add-ons that could take the deal to an overall price tag of $12.3 million. 

Carter-Vickers enjoyed a standout season at Celtic Park, earning Team of the Season honors in the Scottish Premier League, and while his impressive form should have him in the club’s plans, the price tag required to buy him from Tottenham could prove to be too expensive. The potential eight-figure fee (if enough add-ons were triggered) would make Carter-Vickers the most expensive defender signing in Celtic history. 

If Celtic chooses not to complete the purchase, Tottenham would have a long list of suitors ready to pounce, including Newcastle, with Southampton and newly-promoted Fulham also linked to the England-born American defender. 

Carter-Vickers, 24, has ties to Newcastle United’s coaching staff, having previously played for Newcastle assistant coach Jason Tindall. Currently an assistant under Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, Tindall managed Carter-Vickers during his loan spell at then-Championship side AFC Bournemouth during the 2020-21 season. 

Whatever deal Celtic have in place with Spurs they player will ultimately decide on his future over the summer. 

Financially Celtic wouldn’t be able to go close to what is on offer at Newcastle but a near certain place in the Starting XI and the prospect of Champions League football in a World Cup year could be a factor. 

With doubts over Chris Jullien and Nir Bitton returning to Celtic next season the prospect of being unable to get Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal would make central defence a priority for Ange Postecoglou when the summer transfer window opens. 

Newcastle United tried adding #USMNT defender Cameron Carter-Vickers last summer and has renewed its interest in acquiring him once again this summer, a source close to the player confirmed to SBI. https://t.co/c9X9wKaSHe

— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) May 10, 2022

I’ve seen reports that Newcastle “are in the lead”, that isn’t true. Both teams have the money to acquire him, just about who wants him more and who locks it in with Tottenham.

— Larry Henry Jr (@lhenry019) July 12, 2021